Opinion

A stricken Stormont cannot fight Delta variant

DELAYS to the lifting of Covid restrictions in England and Scotland have provided a sharp reminder of the threat still carried by the virus.

Boris Johnson announced on Monday that a relaxation of remaining social distancing rules in England is being put back by four weeks until July 19.

A plan to move Scotland to the lowest level of restrictions is also set to be pushed back, while the Irish government is imposing mandatory quarantine on travellers from Britain.

The news represents a fresh blow for hospitality, entertainment and travel businesses, who had hoped the start of summer would herald some return to normality.

However, alarm over rapidly rising infection rates driven by the Delta variant, which originated in India, left ministers with no choice.

Cases across the UK have been doubling every 10 days, with a fear that hospitals could soon be swamped by admissions again.

Taking action now will buy more time for the vaccination programme, as second doses are distributed to remaining older groups and young adults are offered jabs for the first time.

Experts believe a four-week pause could reduce the peak of this latest wave by up to half.

While Covid cases in Northern Ireland remain relatively low, the more infectious Delta variant has been detected in multiple areas and further spread seems inevitable.

The prime minister is rightly facing questions over the impact of a significant delay in restricting travel from India.

However, the big difference is that while action is now being taken in Dublin, London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, Stormont finds itself frozen in yet another political crisis.

A planned executive meeting tomorrow cannot take place, as efforts to appoint a new first minister are frustrated by wrangling over Irish language legislation.

That meeting was due to approve a relaxation of restrictions on sporting events, entertainment venues and household gatherings later this month.

While it understood health minister Robin Swann retains some emergency powers, his department has said decisions on regulations remain the responsibility of the executive.

Some high-profile issues notwithstanding, the response of Stormont to the Covid crisis over the past year has demonstrated beyond doubt the value of a locally accountable, devolved government.

The fresh dangers posed by the Delta variant should compel parties to redouble their negotiating efforts and ensure the north is not left behind in the battle to control this deadly disease.